Updates made as the situation evolves.

During this public health emergency, we want to make sure that our clients and providers across all of our programs have the latest information on what the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is doing about coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as reliable, up-to-date information about how the virus is affecting the State. We want to assure you that providers are continuing to be paid for services, prior authorizations are being approved, applications and renewals are being processed, and services for clients will continue.

COVID-19 Information & Screening

• The Arkansas Department of Health is the best place to look for accurate and timely information. Go to its website to find helpful guidance.
• https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus

If you wonder if you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus, these options are available to help:

• UAMS Help Hotline: 800-632-4502
• Online Screening: https://uamshealth.com/healthnow
• Many hospitals across the state are providing other screening options in local communities. Click here for the full list.

COVID-19 Direct Care Worker Payment

On April 15, 2020, Governor Asa Hutchinson made an exciting announcement regarding payments to direct care workers work for long-term service and support (LTSS) providers. Since that announcement, DHS has gotten questions about those payments, and how direct care workers will get the payments. We have drafted a guidance document that steps providers through the process of submitting the forms to request those payments for their direct care workers. Please review this guidance, which includes links to forms you will need to submit, by clicking here. 

The Governor also announced that the Steering Committee has made direct care worker payments available for other providers that are not LTSS providers and for non-direct care LTSS and hospital workers. You can find information about those payments here.

We also have answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) questions we have gotten. You can read those FAQs here.

If you have more questions, please send them to DCWPquestions@dhs.arkansas.gov, and we will respond to them as soon as possible.

Other helpful online resources:

• World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Page: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Page:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 Page:https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/Current-Emergencies-page
• US Department of Health and Human Services (Federal): https://www.hhs.gov
• Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu 

Childcare 

Tips for finding quality childcare – click here 

Food

If you don’t have enough food for the next couple of days, here are some resources to help: 

• The Arkansas Food Bank: 501-565-8121 
• Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance: 501-399-9999 or email info@arhungeralliance.org  
• If you have school-age children at home, contact your local school district for their plan for students to get free breakfast and/or lunches  
• DHS is expediting applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for people who have lost their income due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Apply for SNAP on access.arkansas.gov. 
• WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) – Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5 may qualify if they live in Arkansas, have a nutritional need, and an income at or below WIC guidelines, or receive Medicaid, ARKids, TEA or SNAP. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/wic

Unemployment 

• If you have lost your job or worry you may lose your job because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, you can file a claim online at https://www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov/.  
• Visit the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services website at https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/ unemployment for more resources to help with unemployment. 
• You may also contact ADWS Info at 1-855-225-4440 or by email at ADWS.Info@arkansas.gov. 
• If you have questions about filing for unemployment because of the COVID-19 situation, you may read this resource from DWS

Housing 

• If you are worried that you soon won’t have a place to live, you can contact the Little Rock Field Office of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development at 501-918-5700 or email: AR_Webmanager@hud.gov. 
• Look for housing resources throughout Arkansas: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/arworksresource/
• Local resources in Central Arkansas: 

Little Rock Compassion Center 2618 W Roosevelt Rd  Little Rock, AR 72204  Office: 501-296-9114  Website: lrcompassioncenter.org	Our House Shelter 302 Roosevelt Rd  Little Rock AR 72206  Office: 501-374-7383  Website: ourhouseshelter.org	Union Rescue Mission 3001 Springer Blvd  Little Rock AR 72206  Office: 501-370-0808  Website: urmissionlr.org
Dorcas House 823 S Park St. Little Rock AR 72202 Office: 501-374-4022 Website: urmissionlr.org	Jericho Way Resource Center 3000 Springer BLVD  Little Rock, AR 72206  Office: 501-916-9859  Email: mandy.davis@depaulusa.org	St. Francis House 2701 S Elm St Little Rock AR 72204  Office: 501-664-5036  Website: stfrancishouselr.org

Under the CARES Act, DHS was provided more Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to award to organizations that are addressing homelessness and helping those at risk of becoming homeless because of the pandemic. There are four program areas that organizations may be involved in:

• Street Outreach: to engage those who are homeless and not staying in a shelter or other housing; 
• Homelessness Prevention: offers rental assistance and other supports for those who are at risk of becoming homeless to allow them to stay in their homes or relocate;
• Rapid Re-Housing: help finding and paying for housing for those who are homeless and case management during the transition to stability (may provide rental assistance);
• Emergency Shelter: support for shelter operations along with critical services to shelter residents such as child care, skills training, and transportation assistance.

If you are an Arkansan who is at risk of being evicted or need help in getting into stable housing, the providers listed here by county offer the ESG Components of Rapid Re-Housing and Homelessness Prevention and may be able to offer rental assistance to help you stay in your home or move into an apartment. You must meet income and other eligibility requirements to qualify. To apply call or email the ESG Contact listed for the organizations serving your county.

Transportation 

• If you’re on Medicaid and need help getting to a medical appointment, the Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Program may be able to help. Learn more here: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/healthcare-programs/net-non-emergency-transportation/
• If you have questions or problems, call the NET Helpline at 1-888-987-1200. The helpline staff will not arrange transportation for you but will try to give you the help you need. 

Search for County-specific Resources:

https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/arworksresource

Federal Laws Passed in Response to COVID-19

• CARES Act (H.R.748): https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748/text
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201): https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201

Federal Assistance

• Learn more about the IRS Economic Impact Payment: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus